Friday, July 31, 2009
Smart Grids Make Fridges Smarter
The smart grid may make our home appliances smarter too. Jorge RIbas finds out how.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
NYTIMES.COM: DOE Makes $30B Available to Jumpstart Renewable Energy,' Smart Grid' Projects
July 30, 2009
DOE Makes $30B Available to Jumpstart Renewable Energy,' Smart Grid' Projects
By KATHERINE LING of Greenwire
The Energy Department is making up to $30 billion in loan guarantee authority available for renewable energy and electric grid modernization projects.
DOE announced yesterday it was ready to accept applications for about $8.5 billion in loan guarantee authority for advanced renewable energy projects made available in the department's 2009 spending bill and $3.25 billion provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to cover the subsidy costs that will unleash the billions of dollars in loan guarantee authority for renewable energy, transmission projects and biofuels.
Of the $3.25 billion in subsidy costs from the stimulus act, $500 million is specifically for biofuel projects, and $750 million is for large transmission projects that begin construction before Sept. 30, 2011.
Applicants have 45 days to apply for the new guarantee authority, DOE said.
The government-backed authority should help boost lending capital for renewable and other clean-energy technology projects, which has dried up with the financial recession. The stimulus act also included an extension of tax credits for renewable energy and added flexibility where companies can apply for grants instead of using tax credits that the Treasury Department also made available this month (E&ENews PM, July 9).
"This administration has set a goal of doubling renewable electricity generation over the next three years," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement. "To achieve that goal, we need to accelerate renewable project development by ensuring access to capital for advanced technology projects. We also need a grid that can move clean energy from the places it can be produced to the places where it can be used and that can integrate variable sources of power, like wind and solar," he said.
The loan guarantee authority should decrease the cost of the investments, making a "smart grid" investment a lower investment risk and thus less costly for consumers. DOE also announced the availability of almost $4 billion for demonstration and grants for smart grid projects last month (E&ENews PM, June 25).
This is the sixth and seventh solicitations for loan guarantees since the 2005 energy bill provided the authority, DOE said. But much to the dismay of Congress, the department has given about 1 percent of the available authority to three conditional loan guarantees. DOE offered the almost $600 million to a solar panel manufacturer, a wind turbine manufacturer and an energy storage plant (E&ENews PM, July 7).
"The Department has streamlined its processes to accelerate these new loan solicitations," DOE said.
DOE Makes $30B Available to Jumpstart Renewable Energy,' Smart Grid' Projects
By KATHERINE LING of Greenwire
The Energy Department is making up to $30 billion in loan guarantee authority available for renewable energy and electric grid modernization projects.
DOE announced yesterday it was ready to accept applications for about $8.5 billion in loan guarantee authority for advanced renewable energy projects made available in the department's 2009 spending bill and $3.25 billion provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to cover the subsidy costs that will unleash the billions of dollars in loan guarantee authority for renewable energy, transmission projects and biofuels.
Of the $3.25 billion in subsidy costs from the stimulus act, $500 million is specifically for biofuel projects, and $750 million is for large transmission projects that begin construction before Sept. 30, 2011.
Applicants have 45 days to apply for the new guarantee authority, DOE said.
The government-backed authority should help boost lending capital for renewable and other clean-energy technology projects, which has dried up with the financial recession. The stimulus act also included an extension of tax credits for renewable energy and added flexibility where companies can apply for grants instead of using tax credits that the Treasury Department also made available this month (E&ENews PM, July 9).
"This administration has set a goal of doubling renewable electricity generation over the next three years," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement. "To achieve that goal, we need to accelerate renewable project development by ensuring access to capital for advanced technology projects. We also need a grid that can move clean energy from the places it can be produced to the places where it can be used and that can integrate variable sources of power, like wind and solar," he said.
The loan guarantee authority should decrease the cost of the investments, making a "smart grid" investment a lower investment risk and thus less costly for consumers. DOE also announced the availability of almost $4 billion for demonstration and grants for smart grid projects last month (E&ENews PM, June 25).
This is the sixth and seventh solicitations for loan guarantees since the 2005 energy bill provided the authority, DOE said. But much to the dismay of Congress, the department has given about 1 percent of the available authority to three conditional loan guarantees. DOE offered the almost $600 million to a solar panel manufacturer, a wind turbine manufacturer and an energy storage plant (E&ENews PM, July 7).
"The Department has streamlined its processes to accelerate these new loan solicitations," DOE said.
The Ambient Smart Grid™ Communications Network
Ambient Smart Grid™
The Ambient Smart Grid™ Communications Network
The Ambient Smart Grid™ communications solution is a modular network overlaid on the medium-voltage and low-voltage segments of the power distribution system allowing real-time insight into the operations of the electrical distribution grid while supporting any IP-based application. High-speed backhaul connections (which go to the Internet or to private networks) connect the Ambient Smart Grid™ network at any point along the medium voltage circuit allowing for IP data traffic to be carried, via a choice of multiple technologies including BPL, Wi-Fi, cellular, and/or low bit rate power line carrier (PLC).
To date, no single solution or technology exists which provides the necessary flexibility in a cost-effective solution enabling a comprehensive digital communications network, incorporating standards-based technologies. Ambient’s Smart Grid™ communications platform was developed specifically to fill this void and meet the utility’s needs by integrating various technologies within the Ambient platform.
Making up the Ambient platform are nodes configured to act as individual data processors and collectors that receive and transmit the Ambient Smart Grid™ communications signal from other networked devices including other nodes, couplers or end-user devices. Ambient's node can directly interface with any device with a serial or Ethernet port, and can deliver high-speed communications data using existing and developing technologies including BPL, Wi-Fi, Cellular, low bit rate PLC or any combination of these communications protocols. Our node is a modular device that can be configured for different roles within the network. Nodes can repeat (regenerate) the signal, and accept backhaul connections (fiber, Ethernet, etc) or various end-user connections. Within the Ambient network, each node is individually addressed and can be remotely accessed to detect system status (such as power and low battery conditions) and perform management functions. Ambient’s nodes are built for use in the exposed electrical distribution grid and meet the necessary certifications.
Couplers are another key component of Ambient’s network for select applications. Couplers transfer the communications signal to and from medium voltage and low voltage power lines in a BPL or PLC network, and also serve to read, in real-time, the current of the electrical distribution grid. Since a single coupler cannot span this entire range of options, we have developed inductive couplers for medium voltage overhead and underground lines and inductive and capacitive couplers for low voltage applications.
To manage the large numbers of nodes, devices, and customers on a smart grid network, Ambient has developed a network management system, trademarked as AmbientNMS™. AmbientNMS™ has a simple to use, browser-based interface and supports auto-discovery of network resources, VLANs, provisioning, multiple networks, event logging, data collection, alerts, reporting, and multiple levels of users and security. The AmbientNMS™ will continue to be enhanced with additional features and functionality.
Concerns with data security and data integrity are considered and addressed at all levels of the system. Safety and compliance with regulatory requirements are top priorities throughout the design, development, manufacture and deployment of all of our equipment. Our nodes are tested, and certified as complying to applicable United States and Canadian safety standards for information technology equipment. Our overhead couplers are tested to ANSI Standards for electrical power insulators and are designed for safe non-contact installation with either hot sticks or rubber gloves.
The Ambient Smart Grid™ Communications Network
The Ambient Smart Grid™ communications solution is a modular network overlaid on the medium-voltage and low-voltage segments of the power distribution system allowing real-time insight into the operations of the electrical distribution grid while supporting any IP-based application. High-speed backhaul connections (which go to the Internet or to private networks) connect the Ambient Smart Grid™ network at any point along the medium voltage circuit allowing for IP data traffic to be carried, via a choice of multiple technologies including BPL, Wi-Fi, cellular, and/or low bit rate power line carrier (PLC).
To date, no single solution or technology exists which provides the necessary flexibility in a cost-effective solution enabling a comprehensive digital communications network, incorporating standards-based technologies. Ambient’s Smart Grid™ communications platform was developed specifically to fill this void and meet the utility’s needs by integrating various technologies within the Ambient platform.
Making up the Ambient platform are nodes configured to act as individual data processors and collectors that receive and transmit the Ambient Smart Grid™ communications signal from other networked devices including other nodes, couplers or end-user devices. Ambient's node can directly interface with any device with a serial or Ethernet port, and can deliver high-speed communications data using existing and developing technologies including BPL, Wi-Fi, Cellular, low bit rate PLC or any combination of these communications protocols. Our node is a modular device that can be configured for different roles within the network. Nodes can repeat (regenerate) the signal, and accept backhaul connections (fiber, Ethernet, etc) or various end-user connections. Within the Ambient network, each node is individually addressed and can be remotely accessed to detect system status (such as power and low battery conditions) and perform management functions. Ambient’s nodes are built for use in the exposed electrical distribution grid and meet the necessary certifications.
Couplers are another key component of Ambient’s network for select applications. Couplers transfer the communications signal to and from medium voltage and low voltage power lines in a BPL or PLC network, and also serve to read, in real-time, the current of the electrical distribution grid. Since a single coupler cannot span this entire range of options, we have developed inductive couplers for medium voltage overhead and underground lines and inductive and capacitive couplers for low voltage applications.
To manage the large numbers of nodes, devices, and customers on a smart grid network, Ambient has developed a network management system, trademarked as AmbientNMS™. AmbientNMS™ has a simple to use, browser-based interface and supports auto-discovery of network resources, VLANs, provisioning, multiple networks, event logging, data collection, alerts, reporting, and multiple levels of users and security. The AmbientNMS™ will continue to be enhanced with additional features and functionality.
Concerns with data security and data integrity are considered and addressed at all levels of the system. Safety and compliance with regulatory requirements are top priorities throughout the design, development, manufacture and deployment of all of our equipment. Our nodes are tested, and certified as complying to applicable United States and Canadian safety standards for information technology equipment. Our overhead couplers are tested to ANSI Standards for electrical power insulators and are designed for safe non-contact installation with either hot sticks or rubber gloves.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Qualcomm, Verizon Plan Smart Grid Services as Part of New JV
Jeff St. John July 28, 2009
The two wireless giants are forming a joint venture to link devices – including smart grid devices – to one another in the burgeoning “machine to machine” market. But details are yet to emerge.
Verizon is already getting smart meters and other smart grid devices to talk to one another. A new joint venture between Verizon Wireless and leading wireless chip maker Qualcomm, targeting opportunities in the broader "machine-to-machine" market, could expand that.
Executives with both companies provided few details on the focus of the new joint venture in a Tuesday morning press conference at Qualcomm's San Diego headquarters. Nor did they discuss the financial backing the venture would get from both companies – or even the name it would go under.
"What we're doing now is looking across every vertical," said Tony Lewis, Verizon Wireless' vice president of open development.
But the two did list utilities as one of the industries the new joint venture would target, along with healthcare, manufacturing, distribution and consumer products. They also made a point of highlighting smart grid technology, "which enables utilities to wirelessly connect to their grid assets, such as circuit breakers, transformers and other sub-station equipment," in their press release.
Also noteworthy is the presence of executives with Southern California utility holding company Sempra Energy and Swiss power distribution and transmission equipment maker and power automation services provider ABB at Qualcomm's Tuesday Smart Services Leadership Summit event.
Let the speculation begin. Verizon, for one, has been making moves into the smart grid space, with deals such as one announced in April with smart meter maker Itron to link Itron's smart meter networks to utility control centers via Verizon's wireless networks. That's similar to work the wireless provider is doing with utility Duke Energy, and potentially other utilities (see Green Light post).
Cellular networks are already one key option for utilities looking to link distribution and transmission grid sensors and controls (see AT&T Links Cooper Power Systems' Smart Grid Devices).
Using cellular networks to link smart meters and other devices at customers' premises is a popular option in Europe, but less so in North America, where utility-owned wireless mesh networks have taken the lead (see RF Mesh, ZigBee Top North American Utilities' Wish Lists).
Still, some analysts see cellular networks as a natural medium for carrying data from devices utilities are installing at customers' premises and amidst their electricity grids, since it avoids the cost utilities face in installing and maintaining their own communication gear.
In search of such opportunities, AT&T is working with smart meter communications provider SmartSynch to connect residential smart meters, something the two already do with SmartSynch's more prevalent services for commercial and industrial smart meters (see Your Electrical Meter Becomes a Cell Phone and
KORE Telematics uses AT&T's wireless network to connect smart meters being installed by utility Arizona Public Service (see Green Light post). Smart meter maker Echelon has a similar deal with T-Mobile USA (see Echelon, T-Mobile Team on Smart Meter Contracts).
Qualcomm, for its part, hasn't made any overt moves into the smart grid space as of yet.
Steve Pazol, the vice president of global smart services at Qualcomm who will lead the new joint venture, noted that linking consumer electronics via cellular networks will be a focus of the new effort.
"Qualcomm has products that are really optimized for those connected consumer devices," he said.
Theoretically, that could include various home energy monitoring and management devices Verizon may be looking at bringing to homes in the coming months. The idea is to link appliances, heating and air conditioning systems and other home energy-using devices to networks that could allow homeowners or utilities to power them down to mitigate peak electricity demand loads or save energy (see The Smart Home, Part I).
That includes the potential for Verizon to add energy management services through its FiOS broadband home router (see Verizon to Add Energy Management to FiOS). AT&T is rumored to be looking at a similar strategy (see Telecoms Eyeing Home Energy Management?).
While Verizon hasn't said when it might start supporting energy management, companies like OpenPeak, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based maker of touch screen and voice-over internet protocol (VOIP) devices that is adding energy management services to the applications it hosts on its devices, have said telecoms will be rolling out those systems this year (see The Telco Home Energy Invasion).
But just how much the new Qualcomm-Verizon joint venture will focus on smart grid and home energy management, versus the plethora of other opportunities in linking devices to one another – a market representing a potential 85 million devices by 2012, Pazol noted in a press release – remains to be seen.
The two companies did say the new joint venture would use cloud computing solutions to automate device provisioning, and to track, monitor and manage assets, as well as support for other device manufacturers and data integration and back office support
The two wireless giants are forming a joint venture to link devices – including smart grid devices – to one another in the burgeoning “machine to machine” market. But details are yet to emerge.
Verizon is already getting smart meters and other smart grid devices to talk to one another. A new joint venture between Verizon Wireless and leading wireless chip maker Qualcomm, targeting opportunities in the broader "machine-to-machine" market, could expand that.
Executives with both companies provided few details on the focus of the new joint venture in a Tuesday morning press conference at Qualcomm's San Diego headquarters. Nor did they discuss the financial backing the venture would get from both companies – or even the name it would go under.
"What we're doing now is looking across every vertical," said Tony Lewis, Verizon Wireless' vice president of open development.
But the two did list utilities as one of the industries the new joint venture would target, along with healthcare, manufacturing, distribution and consumer products. They also made a point of highlighting smart grid technology, "which enables utilities to wirelessly connect to their grid assets, such as circuit breakers, transformers and other sub-station equipment," in their press release.
Also noteworthy is the presence of executives with Southern California utility holding company Sempra Energy and Swiss power distribution and transmission equipment maker and power automation services provider ABB at Qualcomm's Tuesday Smart Services Leadership Summit event.
Let the speculation begin. Verizon, for one, has been making moves into the smart grid space, with deals such as one announced in April with smart meter maker Itron to link Itron's smart meter networks to utility control centers via Verizon's wireless networks. That's similar to work the wireless provider is doing with utility Duke Energy, and potentially other utilities (see Green Light post).
Cellular networks are already one key option for utilities looking to link distribution and transmission grid sensors and controls (see AT&T Links Cooper Power Systems' Smart Grid Devices).
Using cellular networks to link smart meters and other devices at customers' premises is a popular option in Europe, but less so in North America, where utility-owned wireless mesh networks have taken the lead (see RF Mesh, ZigBee Top North American Utilities' Wish Lists).
Still, some analysts see cellular networks as a natural medium for carrying data from devices utilities are installing at customers' premises and amidst their electricity grids, since it avoids the cost utilities face in installing and maintaining their own communication gear.
In search of such opportunities, AT&T is working with smart meter communications provider SmartSynch to connect residential smart meters, something the two already do with SmartSynch's more prevalent services for commercial and industrial smart meters (see Your Electrical Meter Becomes a Cell Phone and
KORE Telematics uses AT&T's wireless network to connect smart meters being installed by utility Arizona Public Service (see Green Light post). Smart meter maker Echelon has a similar deal with T-Mobile USA (see Echelon, T-Mobile Team on Smart Meter Contracts).
Qualcomm, for its part, hasn't made any overt moves into the smart grid space as of yet.
Steve Pazol, the vice president of global smart services at Qualcomm who will lead the new joint venture, noted that linking consumer electronics via cellular networks will be a focus of the new effort.
"Qualcomm has products that are really optimized for those connected consumer devices," he said.
Theoretically, that could include various home energy monitoring and management devices Verizon may be looking at bringing to homes in the coming months. The idea is to link appliances, heating and air conditioning systems and other home energy-using devices to networks that could allow homeowners or utilities to power them down to mitigate peak electricity demand loads or save energy (see The Smart Home, Part I).
That includes the potential for Verizon to add energy management services through its FiOS broadband home router (see Verizon to Add Energy Management to FiOS). AT&T is rumored to be looking at a similar strategy (see Telecoms Eyeing Home Energy Management?).
While Verizon hasn't said when it might start supporting energy management, companies like OpenPeak, a Boca Raton, Fla.-based maker of touch screen and voice-over internet protocol (VOIP) devices that is adding energy management services to the applications it hosts on its devices, have said telecoms will be rolling out those systems this year (see The Telco Home Energy Invasion).
But just how much the new Qualcomm-Verizon joint venture will focus on smart grid and home energy management, versus the plethora of other opportunities in linking devices to one another – a market representing a potential 85 million devices by 2012, Pazol noted in a press release – remains to be seen.
The two companies did say the new joint venture would use cloud computing solutions to automate device provisioning, and to track, monitor and manage assets, as well as support for other device manufacturers and data integration and back office support
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Con Ed proposes new *Smart Grid* technology to monitor flow, avoid blackouts - for $385M
Con Ed proposes new technology to monitor flow, avoid blackouts - for $385M
BY WILLIAM SHERMAN
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Friday, July 24th 2009, 4:00 AM
State regulators on Friday will review a $385 million plan for Con Edison to use new grid technology to streamline electricity flow and avert crippling blackouts.
Consumers would pay almost half - about $176 million - a one-time hike added to bills over three years that averages $57 per customer. The tab will vary depending on usage. Big businesses, like a Wall St. brokerage, might pay more, while residents would pay less, Con Ed officials said.
Under proposals before the state Public Service Commission, sensors and other devices would be placed throughout the 94,000 miles of Con Ed's network to continuously update a central computer on power use and possible breakdowns.
"We'll get advance knowledge of equipment failure in a particular area and be able to reroute electricity around that area to prevent a loss of power," said Aubrey Braz, a Con Ed vice president in charge of smart grid technology.
The likelihood of large feeder cables burning out during peak demand on hot summer days - incidents that triggered the Washington Heights blackout of 1999 and the Long Island City blackout of 2006 - would be minimized with the automated system, he said.
"The digital [computerized] system will regulate the flow of power and automatically isolate a cable breakdown to stop a failure from spreading," Braz said.
Customers could get "smart meters" in their homes that would show not only how much electricity was being used on a real-time basis, but how much electricity individual appliances were using.
That would let consumers tailor their use of appliances to take advantage of off-peak hours, said Stuart Nachmias, Con Ed vice president of energy policy and regulatory affairs.
"Use a washer and dryer when the power is cheaper, like after 9p.m. as opposed to 3 p.m.," Nachmias said.
The technology is universally regarded as a necessary wave of the future for power transmission.
Even persistent critics of Con Ed's performance like Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Queens) lauded the plan.
"I'm happy to see that Con Ed has seen the light," Gioia said. "New York City needs a smart grid because it saves people money, it avoids blackouts and it's better for the environment, so it makes a world of sense that this gets done," said Gioia.
The costs for the Con Ed smart grid are currently pegged at $385million, but ratepayers will not have to foot the full bill, the PSC said. More than 50% of the total is coming from federal stimulus funds - taxpayers' money - available in a Department of Energy grant.
Other utilities throughout the state have also submitted smart grid proposals to the PSC for a total of $1 billion.
The PSC is expected to approve the proposal, particularly because of the federal matching funds.
PSC Chairman Gary Brown is a major advocate of the new technology.
"It will significantly improve system reliability," he said in a recent speech, noting that "power interruptions and disturbances cost the U.S. electricity consumer at least $79 billion per year."
BY WILLIAM SHERMAN
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Friday, July 24th 2009, 4:00 AM
State regulators on Friday will review a $385 million plan for Con Edison to use new grid technology to streamline electricity flow and avert crippling blackouts.
Consumers would pay almost half - about $176 million - a one-time hike added to bills over three years that averages $57 per customer. The tab will vary depending on usage. Big businesses, like a Wall St. brokerage, might pay more, while residents would pay less, Con Ed officials said.
Under proposals before the state Public Service Commission, sensors and other devices would be placed throughout the 94,000 miles of Con Ed's network to continuously update a central computer on power use and possible breakdowns.
"We'll get advance knowledge of equipment failure in a particular area and be able to reroute electricity around that area to prevent a loss of power," said Aubrey Braz, a Con Ed vice president in charge of smart grid technology.
The likelihood of large feeder cables burning out during peak demand on hot summer days - incidents that triggered the Washington Heights blackout of 1999 and the Long Island City blackout of 2006 - would be minimized with the automated system, he said.
"The digital [computerized] system will regulate the flow of power and automatically isolate a cable breakdown to stop a failure from spreading," Braz said.
Customers could get "smart meters" in their homes that would show not only how much electricity was being used on a real-time basis, but how much electricity individual appliances were using.
That would let consumers tailor their use of appliances to take advantage of off-peak hours, said Stuart Nachmias, Con Ed vice president of energy policy and regulatory affairs.
"Use a washer and dryer when the power is cheaper, like after 9p.m. as opposed to 3 p.m.," Nachmias said.
The technology is universally regarded as a necessary wave of the future for power transmission.
Even persistent critics of Con Ed's performance like Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Queens) lauded the plan.
"I'm happy to see that Con Ed has seen the light," Gioia said. "New York City needs a smart grid because it saves people money, it avoids blackouts and it's better for the environment, so it makes a world of sense that this gets done," said Gioia.
The costs for the Con Ed smart grid are currently pegged at $385million, but ratepayers will not have to foot the full bill, the PSC said. More than 50% of the total is coming from federal stimulus funds - taxpayers' money - available in a Department of Energy grant.
Other utilities throughout the state have also submitted smart grid proposals to the PSC for a total of $1 billion.
The PSC is expected to approve the proposal, particularly because of the federal matching funds.
PSC Chairman Gary Brown is a major advocate of the new technology.
"It will significantly improve system reliability," he said in a recent speech, noting that "power interruptions and disturbances cost the U.S. electricity consumer at least $79 billion per year."
Friday, July 24, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON APPLAUDS New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) APPROVAL OF $434 Million SMART GRID PROJECTS
PSC Authorizes NYPA Smart Grid Project Filing
Northern NY News
Written by Contributor
Friday, 24 July 2009 13:39
GOVERNOR PATERSON APPLAUDS PSC APPROVAL OF SMART GRID PROJECTS
Core Component of Governor Paterson’s New Economy Plan Approved
New York Seeks $434 Million in Federal ARRA Funds to Create Energy Grid of the Future
Governor David A. Paterson today congratulated the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for its decision to authorize six investor-owned utilities in New York to apply to the federal Department of Energy (DOE) to receive upwards of $434 million in federal stimulus funds as provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds being sought will be used primarily to support the creation of a smart electric grid in New York, one of the core proposals in Governor Paterson’s New Economy jobs plan.
“We are taking a collaborative approach to positioning New York as a leader in the New Economy. I am pleased that the PSC is moving forward quickly and decisively to capitalize on federal stimulus funding for smart grid technology,” said Governor Paterson. “Now is the time to take bold new steps to prepare New York to lead in the creation of a new economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation. I’m confident New York will receive its share of ARRA funding for these critically important economic development projects.”
The development of a smart grid system is just one of the dynamic economic development steps announced in June by Governor Paterson in his Bold Steps to the New Economy Jobs Plan. The plan capitalizes on ARRA funding to drive economic recovery in the fields of energy, environmental protection, technology and health care. The initiative ensured New York would capitalize on federal stimulus funding for smart grid technology, with minimal ratepayer impact.
The investor-owned utilities applying for federal stimulus funding for smart grid projects include Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.; National Grid; New York State Electric and Gas Corporation; Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation; and Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation.
In addition to a host of proposed improvements designed to incorporate cutting-edge smart grid technology in the transmission and distribution electric grid, utilities will submit proposals to fund smart meter pilot projects in several cities and towns across New York, including Manhattan, Long Island City, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, Saratoga, Cooperstown, Saugerties, Horseheads, Canandaigua, Bloomfield and West Nyack. Smart grid meters, representing a component of the future electric grid, will potentially give consumers an unprecedented ability to control their individual energy usage and potentially save hundreds of dollars a year on energy bills.
The term smart grid refers to the application of various digital technologies to, among other things, modernize and automate transmission and distribution assets to anticipate and respond to system disturbances, enable greater use of variable energy sources, including renewable energy, and provide needed information and capability for customers to control their energy consumption effectively.
The New York utility projects being put forth for consideration to DOE, which include several other energy-related federal funding opportunities, are valued at $825 million in total. Because federal grants will only cover up to 50 percent of programs costs, utilities require ratepayer funding for the remaining portion.
The timing of the Commission’s action allows utilities to demonstrate in their DOE application a commitment to cover portions not covered by the federal grant. The expectation is that this commitment should place New York’s electric utilities in an advantageous position at DOE to secure a portion of the available competitive grants.
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) also plan to submit several proposals in response to DOE’s programs for Smart Grid, including LIPA’s proposal to create the Smart Energy Corridor along the Route 110 Corridor announced in May. This project will demonstrate smart metering at approximately 250 residential and 250 commercial LIPA customers; distribution and substation automation; the integration of renewable, energy storage, and demand response; cybersecurity testing of smart grid devices; and training programs.
NYPA is submitting a proposal with the New York Independent System Operator to provide a high speed fiber-optic communication backbone to support future Smart Grid technologies that will enable better operation of the grid, ability to sense changes that could disrupt stability, and the ability to react to the knowledge in milliseconds by 'control' of smart devices.
Northern NY News
Written by Contributor
Friday, 24 July 2009 13:39
GOVERNOR PATERSON APPLAUDS PSC APPROVAL OF SMART GRID PROJECTS
Core Component of Governor Paterson’s New Economy Plan Approved
New York Seeks $434 Million in Federal ARRA Funds to Create Energy Grid of the Future
Governor David A. Paterson today congratulated the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for its decision to authorize six investor-owned utilities in New York to apply to the federal Department of Energy (DOE) to receive upwards of $434 million in federal stimulus funds as provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds being sought will be used primarily to support the creation of a smart electric grid in New York, one of the core proposals in Governor Paterson’s New Economy jobs plan.
“We are taking a collaborative approach to positioning New York as a leader in the New Economy. I am pleased that the PSC is moving forward quickly and decisively to capitalize on federal stimulus funding for smart grid technology,” said Governor Paterson. “Now is the time to take bold new steps to prepare New York to lead in the creation of a new economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation. I’m confident New York will receive its share of ARRA funding for these critically important economic development projects.”
The development of a smart grid system is just one of the dynamic economic development steps announced in June by Governor Paterson in his Bold Steps to the New Economy Jobs Plan. The plan capitalizes on ARRA funding to drive economic recovery in the fields of energy, environmental protection, technology and health care. The initiative ensured New York would capitalize on federal stimulus funding for smart grid technology, with minimal ratepayer impact.
The investor-owned utilities applying for federal stimulus funding for smart grid projects include Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.; National Grid; New York State Electric and Gas Corporation; Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation; and Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation.
In addition to a host of proposed improvements designed to incorporate cutting-edge smart grid technology in the transmission and distribution electric grid, utilities will submit proposals to fund smart meter pilot projects in several cities and towns across New York, including Manhattan, Long Island City, Mt. Vernon, Yonkers, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, Saratoga, Cooperstown, Saugerties, Horseheads, Canandaigua, Bloomfield and West Nyack. Smart grid meters, representing a component of the future electric grid, will potentially give consumers an unprecedented ability to control their individual energy usage and potentially save hundreds of dollars a year on energy bills.
The term smart grid refers to the application of various digital technologies to, among other things, modernize and automate transmission and distribution assets to anticipate and respond to system disturbances, enable greater use of variable energy sources, including renewable energy, and provide needed information and capability for customers to control their energy consumption effectively.
The New York utility projects being put forth for consideration to DOE, which include several other energy-related federal funding opportunities, are valued at $825 million in total. Because federal grants will only cover up to 50 percent of programs costs, utilities require ratepayer funding for the remaining portion.
The timing of the Commission’s action allows utilities to demonstrate in their DOE application a commitment to cover portions not covered by the federal grant. The expectation is that this commitment should place New York’s electric utilities in an advantageous position at DOE to secure a portion of the available competitive grants.
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) also plan to submit several proposals in response to DOE’s programs for Smart Grid, including LIPA’s proposal to create the Smart Energy Corridor along the Route 110 Corridor announced in May. This project will demonstrate smart metering at approximately 250 residential and 250 commercial LIPA customers; distribution and substation automation; the integration of renewable, energy storage, and demand response; cybersecurity testing of smart grid devices; and training programs.
NYPA is submitting a proposal with the New York Independent System Operator to provide a high speed fiber-optic communication backbone to support future Smart Grid technologies that will enable better operation of the grid, ability to sense changes that could disrupt stability, and the ability to react to the knowledge in milliseconds by 'control' of smart devices.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
U.S. electric grid needs major overhaul: utility
Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:29pm EDT
By Tom Doggett
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. electric grid is outdated and needs a major overhaul if it is to carry electricity generated by renewable energy sources, a senior official with Southern California Edison told Congress on Thursday.
The Obama administration has called for doubling the amount of U.S. electricity produced by renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, during the next three years to reduce greenhouse emissions that cause global warming.
However, a so-called "smart" grid will be needed to transmit those power supplies from where they are generated in remote areas to consumers and businesses in cities.
"The electricity infrastructure delivering power from a variety of generating sources to our homes, businesses and communities is not suitable for today's needs," said Paul De Martini, SCE's vice president for advanced technology.
"The challenges that face our nation's energy future simply cannot be met by our aging electric grid," Martini said at a House Science subcommittee hearing on how to update the grid.
SCE is a subsidiary of Edison International, one of the largest U.S. electric utilities that serves nearly 14 million people.
Subcommittee chairman Rep. Brian Baird pointed out that parts of the U.S. electric infrastructure are almost 100 years old and America's growing demand for electricity, to run computers for example, is straining the system.
"In order to improve efficiency of power delivery and incorporate renewable energy technologies we need to modernize our grid," he said.
The problem hit home for Texas oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens, who said earlier this month he was delaying plans to build the world's biggest wind farm in the Texas Panhandle because of the difficulty in building the transmission lines that would carry the power supplies.
To help pay for upgrading power lines, the economic stimulus package approved by Congress earlier this year provides $4.5 billion in government assistance for electric transmission projects.
That's just a fraction of the $40 billion to $50 billion needed to update certain areas of the grid, according to the Energy Department.
Separate climate legislation passed by the House of Representatives would make it easier to site new smart grid power lines by allowing a government agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to step in and override state objections to issuing permits for such projects. The full Senate is expected to take up a climate change bill this autumn.
"A coordinated and timely deployment of smart grid can provide many positive benefits to the Nation's electric industry and its customers," said FERC commissioner Suedeen Kelly.
By Tom Doggett
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. electric grid is outdated and needs a major overhaul if it is to carry electricity generated by renewable energy sources, a senior official with Southern California Edison told Congress on Thursday.
The Obama administration has called for doubling the amount of U.S. electricity produced by renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, during the next three years to reduce greenhouse emissions that cause global warming.
However, a so-called "smart" grid will be needed to transmit those power supplies from where they are generated in remote areas to consumers and businesses in cities.
"The electricity infrastructure delivering power from a variety of generating sources to our homes, businesses and communities is not suitable for today's needs," said Paul De Martini, SCE's vice president for advanced technology.
"The challenges that face our nation's energy future simply cannot be met by our aging electric grid," Martini said at a House Science subcommittee hearing on how to update the grid.
SCE is a subsidiary of Edison International, one of the largest U.S. electric utilities that serves nearly 14 million people.
Subcommittee chairman Rep. Brian Baird pointed out that parts of the U.S. electric infrastructure are almost 100 years old and America's growing demand for electricity, to run computers for example, is straining the system.
"In order to improve efficiency of power delivery and incorporate renewable energy technologies we need to modernize our grid," he said.
The problem hit home for Texas oil billionaire T. Boone Pickens, who said earlier this month he was delaying plans to build the world's biggest wind farm in the Texas Panhandle because of the difficulty in building the transmission lines that would carry the power supplies.
To help pay for upgrading power lines, the economic stimulus package approved by Congress earlier this year provides $4.5 billion in government assistance for electric transmission projects.
That's just a fraction of the $40 billion to $50 billion needed to update certain areas of the grid, according to the Energy Department.
Separate climate legislation passed by the House of Representatives would make it easier to site new smart grid power lines by allowing a government agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to step in and override state objections to issuing permits for such projects. The full Senate is expected to take up a climate change bill this autumn.
"A coordinated and timely deployment of smart grid can provide many positive benefits to the Nation's electric industry and its customers," said FERC commissioner Suedeen Kelly.
Monday, July 20, 2009
DOE Rolls Out $47M for Smart Grid Demos, Unveils First Smart Grid Status Report
DOE Rolls Out $47M for Smart Grid Demos, Unveils First Smart Grid Status Report
Written by Josie Garthwaite
Posted July 20th, 2009 at 12:33 pm in Policy,smart grid
Eight smart grid demonstration projects in seven states have just hit pay dirt. The Department of Energy today announced awards of more than $47 million in stimulus funds for the projects, adding to the $17 million that the agency invested in them last year after a competitive application process. Among the companies cashing in today are Massachusetts-based American Superconductor, Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) of New York, California’s Zenergy Power and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The eight projects cover a cross section of smart grid technologies. We’ll be interested to see results from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas demo, which the DOE says will receive more than $5.72 million to trial distributed generation (e.g. home solar panels) and energy management tools in a residential development that’s meant to provide a large-scale “laboratory atmosphere” for testing these technologies.
American Superconductor and Zenergy Power, meanwhile, are both working on advanced technology (different types) for what are called fault current limiters to control power surges and help stabilize the grid. American Superconductor has been awarded more than $12.4 million for two projects, including the fault current limiter project and another dealing with high-temperature superconductor electrical cables.
The city of Fort Collins, Colo., has also made the cut, receiving about $4.84 million to help it “research, develop and demonstrate a coordinated and integrated system” for bringing more distributed renewable energy onto the grid. Con Edison has snagged $5.63 million for its demand-response demonstration, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Natural Energy Institute is getting $5.55 million for distribution system technologies. For the full list of awards and projects, check out the DOE announcement here.
In addition to announcing the $47 million in stimulus awards for demo projects, the DOE has issued its first status report (PDF) today on smart grid technology and deployments, as required by the 2007 Energy Act (it will be updated biennially). While the report is intended as an assessment of progress “across many fronts” of the smart grid, the agency notes key findings in the areas of distributed energy, electricity infrastructure, business and policy and “high-tech culture change,” calling for a “cross-disciplinary change that instills greater interaction among all the stakeholders,” from consumers to electricity brokers to policy makers and investors.
The status report details 20 different metrics that the DOE has created for tracking progress in future reports, although they may be “reviewed for continued relevance and appropriate emphasis of major smart grid attributes” in coming years. For now, they include venture capital activity, the portion of on-road vehicles that are all-electric or plug-in hybrids and adoption/maturity levels for interoperability standards, as well as the percentage of utilities using several smart grid technologies.
Written by Josie Garthwaite
Posted July 20th, 2009 at 12:33 pm in Policy,smart grid
Eight smart grid demonstration projects in seven states have just hit pay dirt. The Department of Energy today announced awards of more than $47 million in stimulus funds for the projects, adding to the $17 million that the agency invested in them last year after a competitive application process. Among the companies cashing in today are Massachusetts-based American Superconductor, Consolidated Edison (Con Edison) of New York, California’s Zenergy Power and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
The eight projects cover a cross section of smart grid technologies. We’ll be interested to see results from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas demo, which the DOE says will receive more than $5.72 million to trial distributed generation (e.g. home solar panels) and energy management tools in a residential development that’s meant to provide a large-scale “laboratory atmosphere” for testing these technologies.
American Superconductor and Zenergy Power, meanwhile, are both working on advanced technology (different types) for what are called fault current limiters to control power surges and help stabilize the grid. American Superconductor has been awarded more than $12.4 million for two projects, including the fault current limiter project and another dealing with high-temperature superconductor electrical cables.
The city of Fort Collins, Colo., has also made the cut, receiving about $4.84 million to help it “research, develop and demonstrate a coordinated and integrated system” for bringing more distributed renewable energy onto the grid. Con Edison has snagged $5.63 million for its demand-response demonstration, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Natural Energy Institute is getting $5.55 million for distribution system technologies. For the full list of awards and projects, check out the DOE announcement here.
In addition to announcing the $47 million in stimulus awards for demo projects, the DOE has issued its first status report (PDF) today on smart grid technology and deployments, as required by the 2007 Energy Act (it will be updated biennially). While the report is intended as an assessment of progress “across many fronts” of the smart grid, the agency notes key findings in the areas of distributed energy, electricity infrastructure, business and policy and “high-tech culture change,” calling for a “cross-disciplinary change that instills greater interaction among all the stakeholders,” from consumers to electricity brokers to policy makers and investors.
The status report details 20 different metrics that the DOE has created for tracking progress in future reports, although they may be “reviewed for continued relevance and appropriate emphasis of major smart grid attributes” in coming years. For now, they include venture capital activity, the portion of on-road vehicles that are all-electric or plug-in hybrids and adoption/maturity levels for interoperability standards, as well as the percentage of utilities using several smart grid technologies.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Smart meters cracking into U.S. homes
July 17, 2009 9:15 AM PDT
Smart meters cracking into U.S. homes
by Martin LaMonica
The number of smart electricity meters with two-way communications is poised to mushroom in the next two years, according to a study.
Research company Park Associates this week released figures for smart-meter installations in the U.S., saying that there are 8 million units installed, or about 6 percent of all meters.
(Credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET)
As utilities upgrade equipment as part of smart-grid trials, the number of smart meters is forecast to grow to 13.6 million installed next year and to over 33 million in 2011.
Having a method to broker regular communications between a utility and a customer will set the foundation for a widening array of home-energy management tools, said Bill Ablondi, Park Associates' director of home systems.
Home energy management systems can be relatively simple displays or Web-based programs that show how much electricity a home is using. More high-end systems can be built around home-area networks where consumers can program smart appliances and lighting to cut power consumption.
The enabling technology for the more sophisticated home-energy management systems includes various wireless communications options for within the home and for smart meters. But even though many of the technology components are now available, there are a number of barriers to widespread adoption of the smart grid, even with billions of stimulus dollars targeted for smart-grid programs.
Upgrading the electricity distribution system is expensive and variable pricing structures that reflect the cost of peak-time electricity could take a long time to be implemented, Ablondi said in a recent presentation. Also, consumer interest in managing energy, which is high right now, could wane, he added.
Smart meters cracking into U.S. homes
by Martin LaMonica
The number of smart electricity meters with two-way communications is poised to mushroom in the next two years, according to a study.
Research company Park Associates this week released figures for smart-meter installations in the U.S., saying that there are 8 million units installed, or about 6 percent of all meters.
(Credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET)
As utilities upgrade equipment as part of smart-grid trials, the number of smart meters is forecast to grow to 13.6 million installed next year and to over 33 million in 2011.
Having a method to broker regular communications between a utility and a customer will set the foundation for a widening array of home-energy management tools, said Bill Ablondi, Park Associates' director of home systems.
Home energy management systems can be relatively simple displays or Web-based programs that show how much electricity a home is using. More high-end systems can be built around home-area networks where consumers can program smart appliances and lighting to cut power consumption.
The enabling technology for the more sophisticated home-energy management systems includes various wireless communications options for within the home and for smart meters. But even though many of the technology components are now available, there are a number of barriers to widespread adoption of the smart grid, even with billions of stimulus dollars targeted for smart-grid programs.
Upgrading the electricity distribution system is expensive and variable pricing structures that reflect the cost of peak-time electricity could take a long time to be implemented, Ablondi said in a recent presentation. Also, consumer interest in managing energy, which is high right now, could wane, he added.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
NORTHEAST Utilities and the Connecticut Municipal Electrical Energy Cooperative aim to tap federal stimulus money for 'smart grid'
Utilities aim to tap federal stimulus money for 'smart grid'
Thu. July 16, 2009; Posted: 06:33 AM
Jul 16, 2009 (New Haven Register - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- CNLPM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Northeast Utilities and the Connecticut Municipal Electrical Energy Cooperative said Wednesday they are each seeking millions of dollars in federal stimulus money through the federal Department of Energy to pay for technology that will help consumers use electricity more wisely.
NU will apply for between $50 million and $75 million in DOE grant money to install so-called "smart grid" technology at its subsidiaries in New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts, as well as expand the use of the equipment at the Connecticut Light & Power Co., said Al Lara, a spokesman for the Berlin, Conn.-based corporate parent.
At the same time NU was announcing its plans, Norwichbased CMEEC was in Wallingford outlining its plans to seek $5 million in federal money to cover half the cost of a $10.3 million plant to launch a smart grid pilot program among the seven communities it serves.
Wallingford is one of those seven communities with public power companies, and would be responsible for coming up with roughly $1.5 million of the project cost that wouldn't be covered by the grant, said George Adair, the town's public utilities director.
Smart grid technology refers to devices that transmit real-time price information for electricity or sends some other kind of signal directly to consumers, allowing them to determine how to use energy more efficiently, CMEEC officials explained to Wallingford's Public Utilities Commission.
"What we are doing is allowing customers ... to help themselves," said Maurice Scully, CMEEC executive director. Scully said initial estimates are that the 3,000 commercial and industrial customers and the 2,000 residential consumers who participate in the pilot program could collectively avoid $7.4 million in electric costs over 10 years, compared to those who didn't participate in the program.
CL&P is already in the midst of a three-month pilot program called Plan-It Wise that is testing the technology in 1,500 businesses around the state, and in 1,500 homes in the Hartford and Stamford areas, Lara said.
The program began June 1 and runs through August, Lara said. The federal grant money would be used to install the smart grid devices in additional homes.
"We do expect the majority of the money to be used in Connecticut because we've already laid a foundation for a smart grid there," Lara said.
The installation and expansion of smart grid technology by CL&P, as well as by sister companies Public Service Co. of New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts Electric Co. will cost between $100 million and $175 million, Lara said. If NU is awarded the grant, it would pay the remaining 50 percent of the costs associated with the project, he said.
The smart grid technology in use in the CL&P pilot program includes a device that changes color as the actual cost that the utility pays to supply the electricity changes from hour to hour, Lara said. When the device glows red, that signals to the consumer that the cost of electricity being used is at a peak, he said.
But smart grid technology is not without its detractors.
The plan that WMECO officials have presented to Bay State utility regulators would have some lowincome customers pay for electricity in advance, while others would be charged a premium for any power used beyond 300 kilowatt hours per month.
The pilot program, which WMECO hopes to roll out next summer, is drawing criticism from Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.
In Greater New Haven, two Wallingford PUC commissioners expressed misgivings about smart grid technology.
"My concern is it's a step towards having the RTOs (Regional Transmission Organizations like grid operator ISONew England) tell us when we can run things," said Robert Beaumont, PUC chairman. "I see the feds pushing this and I'm skeptical."
Thu. July 16, 2009; Posted: 06:33 AM
Jul 16, 2009 (New Haven Register - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- CNLPM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Northeast Utilities and the Connecticut Municipal Electrical Energy Cooperative said Wednesday they are each seeking millions of dollars in federal stimulus money through the federal Department of Energy to pay for technology that will help consumers use electricity more wisely.
NU will apply for between $50 million and $75 million in DOE grant money to install so-called "smart grid" technology at its subsidiaries in New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts, as well as expand the use of the equipment at the Connecticut Light & Power Co., said Al Lara, a spokesman for the Berlin, Conn.-based corporate parent.
At the same time NU was announcing its plans, Norwichbased CMEEC was in Wallingford outlining its plans to seek $5 million in federal money to cover half the cost of a $10.3 million plant to launch a smart grid pilot program among the seven communities it serves.
Wallingford is one of those seven communities with public power companies, and would be responsible for coming up with roughly $1.5 million of the project cost that wouldn't be covered by the grant, said George Adair, the town's public utilities director.
Smart grid technology refers to devices that transmit real-time price information for electricity or sends some other kind of signal directly to consumers, allowing them to determine how to use energy more efficiently, CMEEC officials explained to Wallingford's Public Utilities Commission.
"What we are doing is allowing customers ... to help themselves," said Maurice Scully, CMEEC executive director. Scully said initial estimates are that the 3,000 commercial and industrial customers and the 2,000 residential consumers who participate in the pilot program could collectively avoid $7.4 million in electric costs over 10 years, compared to those who didn't participate in the program.
CL&P is already in the midst of a three-month pilot program called Plan-It Wise that is testing the technology in 1,500 businesses around the state, and in 1,500 homes in the Hartford and Stamford areas, Lara said.
The program began June 1 and runs through August, Lara said. The federal grant money would be used to install the smart grid devices in additional homes.
"We do expect the majority of the money to be used in Connecticut because we've already laid a foundation for a smart grid there," Lara said.
The installation and expansion of smart grid technology by CL&P, as well as by sister companies Public Service Co. of New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts Electric Co. will cost between $100 million and $175 million, Lara said. If NU is awarded the grant, it would pay the remaining 50 percent of the costs associated with the project, he said.
The smart grid technology in use in the CL&P pilot program includes a device that changes color as the actual cost that the utility pays to supply the electricity changes from hour to hour, Lara said. When the device glows red, that signals to the consumer that the cost of electricity being used is at a peak, he said.
But smart grid technology is not without its detractors.
The plan that WMECO officials have presented to Bay State utility regulators would have some lowincome customers pay for electricity in advance, while others would be charged a premium for any power used beyond 300 kilowatt hours per month.
The pilot program, which WMECO hopes to roll out next summer, is drawing criticism from Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.
In Greater New Haven, two Wallingford PUC commissioners expressed misgivings about smart grid technology.
"My concern is it's a step towards having the RTOs (Regional Transmission Organizations like grid operator ISONew England) tell us when we can run things," said Robert Beaumont, PUC chairman. "I see the feds pushing this and I'm skeptical."
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